PARIS, France -- David Beckham will finally make his milestone 100th international appearance for England in Wednesday's prestige friendly against France in Paris.

England coach Fabio Capello says L.A. Galaxy star Beckham will play some part in the match against France.

England coach Fabio Capello says L.A. Galaxy legend Beckham will play some part in the match at Stade de France where Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will captain the side.

"I could not possibly make him come from the USA and not play him," Capello said at a news conference Tuesday.

"I know David Beckham and what he can give me and I think he can make the difference in some respects. I know what he can give to a team. As for the future, we will have to see."

Beckham did not play in Capello's first match in charge against Switzerland at Wembley last month because the coach decided he was not fit enough during the Major League Soccer offseason.

Only four other players have accrued 100 caps or more for England -- Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Billy Wright and Peter Shilton. And all four led the team out on their centenary appearance.

"I think every player would like to reach this target but very few manage it," Capello said. "So you have to give David Beckham credit. He has done really well to achieve this."

The 32-year-old Beckham was dropped by Capello's predecessor, Steve McClaren, after the 2006 World Cup and missed nine England matches.

Beckham's dreams of reaching three figures looked to have gone, but he was recalled a year later following a string of poor results.

Ferdinand takes over the captaincy from Steven Gerrard, who was named skipper for Capello's first match in charge. "It's a fantastic honor," he enthused.

"It is a cliche but when you are a young kid, you dream of playing and captaining your country and I am able to live out the dream," the 29-year-old said.

"Obviously the manager is using a rotation policy, so it is not set in stone. But to be thought of in these terms is fantastic, not only for myself, but for my family and my club."

Ferdinand takes the skipper's armband despite the return to the squad of Chelsea center-back John Terry, who led the team under McClaren.

Capello plans to continue switching the captaincy in friendly matches ahead of the World Cup qualifying program when he will settle on a permanent skipper --and says he wants to look at two more options.

"Obviously the manager is using a rotation policy, so it is not set in stone," added Ferdinand. "But to be thought of in these terms is fantastic, not only for myself, but for my family and my club."

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Ferdinand is back in favor with the Football Association hierarchy, having received an eight-month ban four years ago after failing to attend a drugs test at United's Carrington training ground which resulted in him missing the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

Capello's decision indicates a clean slate for the former West Ham and Leeds player, who has already publicly stated his desire to lead his country.

"What's past is past," Capello said. "He served his ban and he has since proven himself to be a great professional. In the five days he has trained with me, he has shown me he can be an England captain."

A Football Association statement confirmed: "Fabio Capello has confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will captain England against France in Paris.

"Capello has confirmed this continues his policy of rotating the captaincy between players in the friendly matches before confirming a permanent captain for the World Cup qualifying games."

France coach Raymond Domenech is handing David Trezeguet an unexpected chance to play for his country at this year's European Championship -- when England will be spectators

Beckham flew 13,000 kilometers for his recall and Trezeguet broke off a family holiday in Monaco to grab his boots for Wednesday's friendly.

With Karim Benzema and Louis Saha sidelined with injuries and Thierry Henry rested for the game, Domenech likely will field Trezeguet and Nicolas Anelka in attack.

Trezeguet's 17th goal of the season for Juventus keeps him as the top scorer in the Italian league and Anelka is having a successful spell in England with Chelsea and should be up against his club colleague John Terry.

Trezeguet wasn't expected his callup saying: "It's been a while now that Domenech has put his squad into place.

"He has his team in mind and you have to accept that. For my part, I have always been available for the French team. I have given my only answers on the pitch, through my performances for my club."E-mail to a friend